KY ILN Innovative Teacher Fellowship Application
There are many schools and districts in Kentucky implementing learner-centered practices and trailblazing innovative strategies. At the heart of these practices and strategies are the teachers who guide, build relationships with, and support our students. The purpose of this Innovative Teacher Fellowship is to connect the vision of the KY Innovative Learning Network with on-the-ground practice and learning.

Teachers in this Fellowship will participate in professional learning, collaboration, project planning, and implementation in order to facilitate the Three Big Ideas unveiled by Kentucky stakeholders in the Kentucky Department of Education’s United We Learn report. These ideas center 1.) vibrant student experiences, 2.) innovation in assessment, and 3.) community engagement and partnerships. The projects that the Innovative Teacher Fellows plan and implement will put these ideas into action for the benefit of students and education in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Please see this one-pager for a succinct overview of the Innovative Teacher Fellowship.

As part of this Fellowship, the selected applicants will have the opportunity to build strong connections with other teacher leaders across the Commonwealth, will engage in meaningful professional learning, will plan and implement transformative experiences for their students, and will lead and represent the profession by sharing and reflecting on their work.
Email *
Important Application Dates
Submission Deadline: 4PM (ET) Friday, September 22nd, 2023

Notice of Selection: 4PM (ET) Monday, October 2nd, 2023
Contact Information
Please address any questions about this application to:

Rob Collins
robert.collins@education.ky.gov
Innovative Programs Consultant
Division of Innovative Learning
Office of Continuous Improvement and Support
Kentucky Department of Education
Eligibility and Agreements
1.) To be eligible for the KY ILN’s Innovative Teacher Fellowship, the applicant must be a teacher in a participating member district of the Kentucky Innovative Learning Network (KY ILN) and have submitted a signed Letter of Commitment (LoC) to the Division of Innovative Learning.

Note: We are currently in the recruitment and recommitment phase for the 2023-2024 school year. See Appendix A for list of confirmed KY ILN districts. Please double-check with your district to ensure KY ILN membership.

2.) Fellows agree to participate in 5 planned convenings for professional learning, collaboration, and sharing of projects. At least 2 convenings will be in-person (7 hours apiece) and 3 virtual (2 hours apiece).

3.) Fellows agree to share their practice during a site visit with Facilitator Rob Collins or another team member from the Division of Innovative Learning at KDE.

4.) Fellows agree to develop, implement, reflect on, and share outcomes of an innovative project guided by the 3 Big Ideas in United We Learn.
Equity Statement
We strive to represent the breadth and depth of rich experiences in Kentucky with each cohort of Innovative Teacher Fellows and seek nominees with diverse backgrounds including, but not limited to: ethnicity, race, religion, class background, native language, gender, location, sexual orientation, and political perspective.

We believe that the work of innovation in education can and should transform and better the lives of all students, and we seek Fellows who embody this belief and the represent the diversity of Kentucky's students and communities.
Participant Expectations
Attendance of Meetings: Fellows are expected to attend both in-person events and to make every effort to attend all virtual meetings. If a virtual meeting cannot be attended due to a conflict, the member will work with the Fellowship facilitator to make up a missed session. 

Dates and Times: Because the Fellows will consist of ten teachers from across the Commonwealth of Kentucky, chosen applicants will be surveyed to choose meeting times and dates that work best for the majority of the group. The dates and times supplied below will serve as guidelines within which the Fellows will operate.

  • In-Person Kickoff Event: Friday, October 13th, 2023 (Shelby County Public Library: Carnegie Library Center)
  • Virtual Meeting 1: First Week of December 2023 (4th - 8th)
  • Virtual Meeting/Optional In-Person 2: 2nd Week of February 2024 (12th - 16th)
  • Virtual Meeting 3: 3rd Week of April (22nd - 26th)
  • In-Person KY ILN Exhibition of Innovation and Learning: TBA, Early June (Location Pending)
Benefits
Innovative Teacher Fellows will receive a financial award of $500 to be used to fulfill their classroom projects. These funds must be tied directly to the learner-centered project the Fellow undertakes to support and realized the Three Big Ideas of the United We Learn vision.

The Innovative Teacher Fellowship entails at least 35 hours of professional development during the 2023-2024 school year. Fellows will be awarded 35 hours of PD/EILA credit at the June Exhibition event and will be recognized and celebrated for their work.
Evaluation and Selection
A committee of persons knowledgeable about learner-centered teaching, innovative practices, and teacher quality and leadership will review the applications meeting all eligibility criteria found in Appendix C. Ten (10) teachers will be chosen as part of the Fellowship. Applicants will receive notice of selection by 4PM (ET) on or before Monday, October 2nd, 2023.
Full Name *
School Email Address *
School *
District *
Content Area(s) *
Level *
How long have you worked in education? *
Which category best describes you?
Clear selection
Administrator Support and Reference
This opportunity includes a significant commitment of time and supports work that will represent yourself, your school, and your district. Two of the five meetings will require in-person participation, and at least one will occur on a school day and require a substitute teacher. Please ensure your administrators are aware of this application and are supportive of this commitment and work. 

To ensure their support, please provide the email of your building administrator (principal) and of your district superintendent. Please provide their name, position and email (ex. Alice Brown, Superintendent, alice.brown@district.kyschools.us; James King, Principal, james.king@district.kyschools.us). The names you supply may be contacted as a reference.
 *
Acknowledgements
I have read the eligibility requirements, agreements, expectations, and schedule and will coordinate my priorities to meet those requirements and participate fully in the Innovative Teacher Fellowship. *
Required
I understand the commitment of time and self to this Fellowship and have communicated my intent to participate to a supportive administration and district. *
Required
Appendices
Click on this link to access Appendix A: 2022-2023 KY Innovative Learning Network District List and Appendix B: Scoring Rubric for Narrative Responses.
Narrative Questions
Answer the following questions to discuss your philosophy of innovation in education and your teacher leadership experiences. Your responses will be scored according to this rubric and will be used in fellow selection.

Each response can be a maximum of 3,000 characters (approximately 450 words). 
1.) Describe your philosophy regarding innovation in education. How do you envision the future of education in your classroom and district? *
2.) Describe an experience where you created a vibrant, innovative learning experience for your students. What was your process and what did you learn? If you did similar work again, how would your experiences shape the way you approach innovation in your teaching?
 *
3.) Based on your experience, what makes professional learning meaningful to you as an educator?
 *
4.) How comfortable are you with sharing your learning and process with other educators (superintendents, principals, teachers, students)? Please share an example of a time you’ve shared professional learning in the past. Who was the audience and how did you feel about the experience?
 *
5.) Describe your thoughts on teacher leadership. Where do you see yourself and your work fitting into the larger conversation surrounding innovation in education that leads to meaningful, engaging, and personalized learning for all Kentucky students?
 *
*Optional: Why do you want to be part of this fellowship and involved in this work?
*Optional: How did you hear about this opportunity?
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